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Using a Split-belt Treadmill to Evaluate Generalization of Human Locomotor Adaptation
Published on: August 23, 2017
Can treadmill walking be used to assess propulsion generation?
Evan J Goldberg1, Steven A Kautz, Richard R Neptune
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
Journal of Biomechanics
|April 26, 2008
Summary
Treadmill walking shows no fundamental difference in anterior/posterior propulsion mechanics compared to overground walking in healthy adults. This suggests treadmill use is valid for studying gait propulsion generation.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Human Locomotion Analysis
Background:
- Instrumented treadmills offer advantages for gait analysis, but concerns exist regarding their effect on propulsion mechanics.
- Previous studies suggest treadmill use may alter propulsion, potentially impacting research on hemiparetic walking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test the hypothesis that anterior/posterior (A/P) propulsion generation is not different between treadmill and overground walking.
- To compare A/P ground reaction forces (GRFs) and impulses in healthy adults during both walking conditions.
Main Methods:
- Eight healthy adults walked overground and on an instrumented treadmill.
- Walking speed and cadence were precisely controlled for both conditions.
- Anterior/posterior ground reaction forces (GRFs) and impulses were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Peak horizontal GRFs were slightly reduced (<5% body weight) during treadmill walking.
- Braking impulse magnitude was significantly lower on the treadmill (p<0.05).
- No significant differences were found in propulsion impulses between treadmill and overground walking.
Conclusions:
- Subtle differences in A/P GRFs exist, but propulsion mechanics are fundamentally similar between treadmill and overground walking.
- Instrumented treadmill walking is a valid method for investigating propulsion generation in healthy populations.
- Findings imply treadmill use is also suitable for clinical populations, including those with hemiparesis.
